Comfort Ero Interim Vice President & Program Director, Africa Nairobi, Kenya Please submit all media inquiries to cero@crisisgroup.org and media@crisisgroup.org or call +32 (0) 2 536 00 71 Crisis Group Role Comfort Ero was appointed Crisis Group’s Interim Vice President in January 2021. She remains Africa Program Director and was formerly West Africa Project Director. As Interim Vice President, Comfort assists the President in leading the Organisation’s programs, and represents Crisis Group to internal and external stakeholders. She has a PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London. Comfort also sits on the editorial board of various journals, including International Peacekeeping. Areas of Expertise Conflict prevention, management and resolution Mediation Peacekeeping Transitional justice Politics and international relations of Africa Professional Background Deputy Africa Program Director for the International Centre for Transitional Justice (2008-2010) Political Affairs Officer and Policy Advisor to the Special Representative of the Secretary General, United Nations Mission in Liberia (2004-2007) Project Director, West Africa Office, International Crisis Group (2001-2004) Research Fellow, Conflict, Security & Development Group, Centre for Defence Studies, King's College, London (1999-2001) Research Associate, International Institute for Strategic Studies, London (1998-1999) PhD from the London School of Economics, University of London Languages English (native) French (conversant) In The News 8 Jan 2020 Burkina is a gateway to coastal West Africa and there is a real concern that jihadist groups may see it as a launching pad to gain other footholds in the coastal region. Financial Times Comfort Ero Interim Vice President & Program Director, Africa 31 May 2018 The AU is a bureaucratic body that has no immediate answers for the widespread support for third-termism by African leaders today. The body is missing in action in the matters of its member countries (and should) champion the aspirations of ordinary Africans. Lasentinel Comfort Ero Interim Vice President & Program Director, Africa 15 Feb 2017 Despite the rise of new security structures in [Africa] the last few years, [they] haven't done much to change the [political] dynamic on the ground. All Africa Comfort Ero Interim Vice President & Program Director, Africa 13 Oct 2016 We have to think very carefully about the use of violence [against Boko Haram], sometimes it is necessary, but it mustn’t aggravate the situation, rather it must help to reduce or resolve the conflict. Force should be used cautiously. Leadership Comfort Ero Interim Vice President & Program Director, Africa Latest Updates Op-Ed / Africa 13 September 2021 Africa and COP26: What way forward? Climate talks must pay more attention to African voices, not just of governments but of the people. Originally published in African Arguments Commentary / Africa 10 September 2021 Africa: Escaping 9/11’s Long Shadow In many African countries, jihadists are making gains. As part of our series The Legacy of 9/11 and the “War on Terror”, Comfort Ero and Murithi Mutiga say options for stemming the tide should include opening lines of communication to those militants pursuing local goals. Op-Ed / Africa 20 July 2021 Mozambique’s Insurgency Requires a Multi-Pronged Response Originally published in World Politics Review Podcast / Asia 15 July 2021 #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood and guest co-host Comfort Ero talk to Crisis Group’s Richard Horsey about the armed resistance forming against the military regime in Myanmar six months after the coup and the broader crisis provoked by the Tatmadaw’s crackdown. Op-Ed / Africa 9 July 2021 South Sudan's Dismal Tenth Birthday The world's youngest country needs an overhaul, Crisis Group Interim Vice President and Africa Program Director Comfort Ero and South Sudan Senior Analyst Alan Boswell write in Foreign Affairs. Originally published in Foreign Affairs Load more